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RUBBER MATCH: Takuma Sato, part of last year’s scintillating Indianapolis 500 finish, is part of a loaded field for today’s showcase race. Photo: Getty Images

RUBBER MATCH: Takuma Sato, part of last year’s scintillating Indianapolis 500 finish, is part of a loaded field for today’s showcase race. (
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INDIANAPOLIS — They raced 1-2-3 in line, trading the lead a whopping 15 times over the final, frantic 75 laps. All three drivers had a last-lap plan in mind, and it was Takuma Sato who acted first with a bold move for the win.

Sato pulled out of line, dipped inside of Dario Franchitti and tried to pounce as they headed into the first turn. Scott Dixon watched and waited from third, figuring he was now in position to slingshot past both for the victory.

Instead, Sato and Franchitti nearly touched. Sato spun out and into the wall and Franchitti zipped to his third victory in one of the most dramatic Indianapolis 500 finishes in memory. Some argued it was one of the greatest Indy 500s ever.

It sure won’t be easy to top today.

“I got a lot of comments from drivers in NASCAR and Formula One saying it was the best 500 they’d ever seen,” Franchitti said. “But I think this year will also be a very, close exciting race.”

The bar was certainly raised at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year with 34 lead changes, Franchitti rallying from the back and three close friends of the late Dan Wheldon sweeping the podium.

But the IndyCar Series has given every indication this season that today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway could be another thriller.

The series is off to a terrific start this year with three winners in the first four races.

The field is stacked, and has a pair of drivers trying to join the exclusive club of four-time winners. Franchitti and Helio Castroneves are each vying to join Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears as the only four-time winners of the Indy 500, a feat that’s not been done since Mears’ 1991 victory.

“What an incredible opportunity for the fans to have not only one, but two guys trying to make history,” Castroneves said. “Forget about the names, forget about who it is. But imagine people who didn’t even see the last time when the guy won four times.”

They’ve got five Andretti Autosport cars standing in their way and two of them start from the front row.

Carlos Munoz, a 21-year-old Colombian making his IndyCar debut, will start second alongside Marco Andretti, who is once again considered a favorite but must overcome a curse that has limited his famous family to one win — Mario Andretti in 1969 — in 80 starts.

COCA-COLA 600

Jimmie Johnson is focused on chasing victory at the Coca-Cola 600. He says he’s not thinking about his championship legacy.

A win tonight would be Johnson’s fourth in NASCAR’s longest race, trailing only Darrell Waltrip’s five spring victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Johnson also could strengthen his series points lead with his third win this season as he chases his fifth Sprint Cup title.